Since its original construction in 1902, this historic structure has been a place of life-changing experiences for countless people throughout Des Moines, the state of Iowa and even the nation. We desire to share the stories and memories of those who have been a part of the various churches and ministries that have called this church home. While reading the stories of those whose lives have been touched as a result of their experiences here, you’ll recognize that this restoration project is about more than a historic structure – it’s about people and about continuing God’s purpose and desire to change lives in central Iowa, the nation and the nations of the world. As we honor the past, we will build a bridge into the future.

Click here to tell your story!

 
I attended the "First Church" shortly after I was born in 1941 and attended the church until I graduated from East High School in 1959. My mother, Helen Overton, sang in the choir. My aunt Lucille Jenkins was a missionary in Liberia, Africa. She later married R. B. Mitchell. Brother Newton was my most memorable Sunday School teacher. He presented me my first bible in 1949. I still have it in my memorabilia. Two of the most important things in my life occurred at First Church. I gave my heart to the Lord at the altar in the sanctuary. Also, I married my wife of 47 years in 1962 in the chapel adjacent to the sanctuary. We were married by Ron Smith, son of Pastor Frank Smith. This wonderful building has so many wonderful memories.

Thought I would share a funny story. Looking at the old pictures of the interior of the sanctuary helped me remember. My mom used to take me to choir practice on Tuesday evenings. I was probably 8 or 9 years old at the time. I would play games and crawl between the pews. I was given strict instructions not to be seen or heard so as not to interrupt the choir practice. Well, these were the days of the Davey Crockett coonskin caps. I took my coonskin hat with me to choir practice. I went up into the balcony and crawled on my hands and knees to the front row. As the picture shows, there were "modesty curtains" hanging on the balcony railing of the first row, presumably to cover the lady's knees. No one saw me sneak to the first row. As the choir was singing, I took the tail of the coonskin hat and stuck it below the curtain so it was visible to the choir. I drug it along the balcony and it looked like an animal was in the building. Needless to say, it caused quite a stir. Everyone was pointing, laughing, and it pretty much upset the practice. There was one woman who knew what was going on, and that was my mother. She was not laughing. It was the most fun I ever had at choir practice.

Tom Overton - Titusville, FL
 
When I was a child in Des Moines we called it "19th and Crocker" or just "First Church." It was our "mother church," so to speak. My parents were married there and my mother's funeral was there. Some of my earliest memories are of exploring every corner of the building when I was four years old. My stepmother was Frank Smith's (First Church's pastor) secretary and she took me to work with her until I entered kindergarten. We attended Open Bible Standard Churches’ annual conventions there in the 1950s. My parents were all graduates of Open Bible Institute and my father pastored an OBSC church in Des Moines, so "19th and Crocker" was the hub of religious activity for us.
Roger Olson - Waco, TX
 
I worked and worshipped at the building at 19th and Crocker when it was Kingsway Cathedral. I began working there as a secretary in 1974. During my time there I was in charge of taking care of visiting ministers and speakers. This allowed me to meet many members of the Body of Christ and know them more personally. It was not long after I began working there that Pastor Del Browning asked me if I would be willing to help produce a live show on cable TV. This show eventually became a reality and we were on live, 5 nights a week. I helped organize guest speakers, a live phone bank for people to call in and be prayed for and wrote the show format. The night of the broadcast, I worked as floor director. This outreach was great blessing to many people who received answers to their prayers. God truly blessed my life by allowing me to be a part of Kingsways Television outreach. I pray that now, many more of the propetic things said about this place will come to pass as KLM International opens the doors again.
Lynn Montgomery - Des Moines, IA
 
How a Young Woman was Healed of a Goiter - by Wayne Warner